Ganesha and the Wise Mouse
Listen to the Story
Why is Ganesha known to remove obstacles? Why is Ganesha shown with a mouse? Read the story to find out.
A Naughty Mouse
Once, there was a powerful demon named Krauncha who was extremely arrogant and destructive. He was once a celestial being but was cursed to be reborn as a mouse due to his misdeeds.
As a giant mouse, he created havoc in the ashrams of sages, gnawing through their belongings and destroying everything in his path.
Ganesha to the Rescue
The sages, troubled by this menace, prayed to Lord Ganesha for help. Ganesha appeared before them and confronted the mouse. Using his divine powers, he captured the mighty rodent with his noose. The mouse, realizing the power of the god before him, surrendered and sought forgiveness.
The Remover of Obstacles
Ganesha decided not to kill Krauncha. Instead, he tamed him and made him his vahana (divine vehicle). Initially, the mouse resisted, claiming that he was too small to carry the weight of Ganesha. However, with divine blessings, the mouse gained strength and was able to bear the god’s weight effortlessly.
What We Learn
Symbolism of Ganesha's Rat
- Overcoming Obstacles – Ganesha is known as Vighnaharta (remover of obstacles). A rat, which is small but capable of slipping through the tiniest of spaces, symbolizes the ability to navigate through difficulties.
- Conquering Ego and Desire – Rats are notorious for their greed and restlessness. By making the rat his vahana, Ganesha shows mastery over desires and teaches that wisdom can control even the most unruly instincts.
- Humility and Strength – Despite being a powerful deity, Ganesha chooses a humble and small creature as his vehicle, symbolizing that even the smallest beings can achieve great things.
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